ARGENTINA SEEKS TOURISTS FROM PH

Argentina is looking to forge a long-term partnership with tourism players in the Philippines to boost tourist arrivals in both countries.

According to the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA), Argentine Embassy Commercial Attaché Martin Soto has expressed interest to tap the group to help introduce Argentina to the Philippine market, as the lack of both awareness and direct flights has been hampering the potential growth of tourist arrivals in both countries.

“Basically, our job is to increase awareness about Argentina as a tourism destination. We are an emerging destination. Here in the Philippines, there is not much knowledge about our country,” Soto was quoted in a statement as saying.

“From the Philippines, it takes 24 to 30 hours to arrive in Argentina, including one to three connecting flights. However, you only need to spend $150 a day to enjoy our country,” Soto added.

According to Soto, most Fil- ipinos who go to Argentina are seafarers and only 500 Filipinos visit their country as tourists every year.

For her part, PTAA president Maria Michelle Reyes-Victoria said they see potential areas for cooperation with Argentina in tourism.

“Argentina is very much an untapped market for our member travel agencies. The Philippines has a growing middleclass that has the capacity to travel not just domestically but also abroad on multiple occasions every year,” Victoria said.

Travel agencies, she said, can look at offering seven-day tour packages to cities like Buenos Aires, Mendoza, El Calafete and Ushuaia.

Victoria said the PTAA would consult with airlines and the Philippine government for direct flights not just to Argentina but to other countries in South America.

“We do not see the Philippine economy or the country’s tourism industry slowing down soon. At the same time, we also want to attract to the Philippines other tourism markets and those coming from South America are a logical target,” Victoria added.